Source · Select Committees · Environmental Audit Committee
Seventh Report - Net zero and UK shipping
Environmental Audit Committee
HC 509
Published 29 May 2024
Recommendations
13
Accepted in Part
Para 135
Review and commit to further matching funding for UK shipping decarbonisation research until 2030.
Recommendation
The Government must send clear and unambiguous signals to the UK maritime sector that it is committed to supporting its transition to net zero. We recommend that Ministers urgently review the funding perspectives for decarbonisation of UK shipping and, no …
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Government Response Summary
The government partially accepts the recommendation, recognizing the need for R&D funding and long-term certainty but states it will consider how to take this forward as part of the next multi-year spending review, rather than committing by the next fiscal event.
18
Accepted in Part
Para 164
Clean Maritime Plan lacks clear, measurable objectives for shipping operational efficiencies.
Recommendation
The current Clean Maritime Plan sets no clear or measurable objectives for the UK’s contribution to operational efficiencies from domestic and international shipping.
Government Response Summary
The government partially accepts the recommendation, recognizing efficiency's role and committing to support the IMO's review of energy efficiency measures, while also exploring the case for complementary domestic measures.
19
Accepted in Part
Para 165
Set stretching interim targets for UK domestic shipping emission savings within the refreshed Clean Maritime Plan.
Recommendation
The refreshed Clean Maritime Plan must set stretching interim targets for the emissions savings to be achieved from operational efficiencies in UK domestic shipping to 2050, together with a detailed plan for how these savings are to be achieved through …
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Government Response Summary
The government partially accepts the recommendation, acknowledging the role of efficiency in decarbonisation and stating its intent to support the IMO's review of energy efficiency measures. However, it does not commit to setting stretching interim targets or a detailed plan for UK domestic shipping, instead focusing on exploring the case for domestic measures.
25
Accepted in Part
Para 179
Launch net zero ports consultation immediately to plan infrastructure, funding, and electrification requirements.
Recommendation
We recommend that Ministers launch their planned consultation on net zero ports without further delay, so as to gather signals from the ports industry and the wider maritime sector at the earliest opportunity as to what infrastructure is likely to …
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Government Response Summary
The government accepts the recommendation and is considering options for a call for evidence alongside its domestic maritime decarbonisation plan, aiming to collate evidence on port clean energy infrastructure and enable port decarbonisation.
28
Accepted in Part
Require Ministers to set out current state of green corridor feasibility studies and discussions
Recommendation
In its response to this report we expect Ministers to set out the current state of each of the green corridor feasibility studies UK SHORE is engaged in, and the state of discussions with the USA, Canada, Singapore and other …
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Government Response Summary
The government partially accepts the recommendation, providing details on £1.1m funding for three Green Corridor feasibility studies and £80.4m for zero-emission vessel technology. They list bilateral partnerships with several countries, acknowledging current engagement and stating progress on individual corridors will be provided at appropriate points.
32
Accepted in Part
Para 205
Ensure revised Clean Maritime Plan contains ambitious targets, zero-emission fuel strategy, and shore power measures
Recommendation
The revised Plan will represent a significant policy statement from Ministers in response to the IMO’s revised GHG strategy. It must be cast so as to outstrip the ambition of the IMO’s current strategy, while setting out stretching yet deliverable …
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Government Response Summary
The government accepts this recommendation, stating it is considering options for setting interim and 2050 GHG emission goals for UK domestic maritime in its upcoming strategy and will set out the pathway to meet these. It also commits to continuing support for the IMO's GHG Strategy and developing a new maritime emissions model.
33
Accepted in Part
Require Ministers to update Parliament on Clean Maritime Plan progress and commit to publication date
Recommendation
The delay in publication of the revised Clean Maritime Plan is highly undesirable, particularly in the light of recent intensification of international dialogues on maritime decarbonisation. Stakeholders understandably demand policy certainty before making substantial investment decisions on decarbonisation strategies. Ministers …
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Government Response Summary
The government accepts this recommendation to publish the revised Clean Maritime Plan, stating it will do so 'shortly' and outlining its key contents including pathways, policy interventions, and timelines. However, it does not commit to the specific three-month deadline for publication or explicitly state when it will update Parliament before then.